Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-11
THE YOUNG HERO.
From the Cosmopolitan.

boy that saved one of his comrades from
the Pc.
On the terrace in front waved a large
tri-colored flag.
We entered the courtyard of the hall,
which was already full of people. At the
farther end was a table covered with red
cloth, with some papers on 1t, and behind
it row of gilt arm chairs for the syndic
and the council; the town criers were
there in sky blue waistcoats and white
stockings.
On the right of the courtyard was
drawn up a company of city guards,
covered with medals, and next to them a
squad of customs guards; on the other
side were the fremen in full uniform,
and many soldiers off duty, who had come
to look cavalrymen, sharp-shoOters
and artillerymen. The remaining space
was thronged with gentlemen, townspeo-
pie, few officers, women and boys.
We squeezed ourselves into a corner
where there was already crowd Of schol-
ars and teachers of the other classes.
Near us there was group of common
ooys from 10 to 16 years old, who were
laughing and talking loudly, and it was
plain that they were all from the Po
suburb, comrades or acquaintance of
the boy that was to get the medal.
Above, all the windows were occupied
by municipal officials; even the balcony
of the library was filled with people,
crowding against the balustrade; on the
opposite balcony, above the entrance gate
Numbers of girls from the public schools
were huddled, and many soldiers daugh
ters," with their fine blue wells. 1t was just
like theater. All were talking meIriIy,
looking every now and then toward the
red table TO see if anybody appeared.
The band was playing softly at the end of
the porch. The sun beat on the high
walls. It vas beautiful.
Suddenly everybody in the courtyard,
on the balconies and in the windows be-
ban to clap their hands. I stood on tip
toe to see the crowd behind, the red table
had opened and a man and woman had
come forward. The man was holding
boy by the hand.
He was the one that had saved his con-
panion. The man was his father, a mason,
and was in holiday dress. The woman
his mother-was small and fair, and wore
black gown. The boy, who was also fair
and small, wore a green jacket.
At the sigks of all those people, and on
hearing that roar of applause, they all
three stood STILL without daring either to
look or move. A town crier pushed them
up to the right OF the table.
Everybody remained silent for mo-
ment, and then the applause burst forth
again on all sides. The boy looked up at
the windows, and then at the balconies
where the Soldiers daughters" were; he
held his hat in his hands, and it seemed
as if he did not exactly understand where
he was. 1t appeared to me that he looked
something like Coretti in the face; but
L, l. i
kept their eyes on the table.
Meanwhile, all the boys from the Pc
suburb, who were close to US, pressed for
ward and made signs to their companion
in order to be seen, calling him in low
voice, PIN! PM Pinotr' By dint of
calling him, they made themselves heard.
The boy looked as them, and held up his
hat to hide smile.
At given moment all the guests stood
at attention" The syndic came III, &C
companied by many gentlemen.
The syndic, who was quite grey, with a
big tri-colored scarf, stood beside the
table; all the others took places behind
and on each side. The band stopped
playing, the syndic made signal, all be-
came silent. He began TO speak. I did
not quite catch his first words; but L I'M
derstood that he was telling what the boy
had done Then his voice grew louder,
and swelled out so clear and sonorous
through the whole courtyard that [ did
not lose another word.
.When, from the bank, he saw his com
panion struggling in the river, already
seized with the terror of death, he strip
ped off his clothes and went to his aid,
without moments hesitation. People
called out TO him, You'll be drownedn
He did not answer; they laid hold of him
he disengaged himself: they called him
by name; he was already in the water.
The river was swollen, and the risk was
terrible, even for man.
But he struck oat against death with
all the strength of his little body and of
mis- big heart; he reached and caught hold
of the unfortunate boy in time, just as he
was sinking. and brought him to the sur
face: he fought furiously against the
current, which was carrying him away
with his comrade, who was trying to clasp
him, and several times lie sank and came
up again with desperate effort; obstin-
ate, invincible in his holy purpose, not
like boy who is trying to save another
boy, but like man, like father striving
TO save son who is his hope and life.
"Finally, God did not allow such gener-
Gus courage TO be useless. The boy swim
mer snatched the victim from the giant
river and brought him to land: and. be-
sides, with others, gave him the first COM
forts; after which he returned home quiet
iy and alone, and ingenuously related what
he had done.
"Gentlemen, beautiful and admirably is
herolsm IN man. But in a bow in whom
no aim of ambition or any other interest
is yet possible; in a boy who is holder be-
cause he has less strenth: in boy in
whom nothing Is asked, who is bound to
nothing, who already appears to us so
EobIe and amiable, not when he makes a
sacrifice, but even when he comprehends
and recognizes the sacrifices of others
heroism in boy is divine.
Gentlemen, l will say no more, do not
wish to set off with superfuous praises so
simple greatness of soul. Behold here
before you the valiant and noble rescuer.
Soldiers. salute him like brother; moth